Hey everybody,

So I'd been having a problem the last few days where I could start Steam offline and play the games I had installed that didn't require an always-on connection, but I couldn't get Steam to connect to the Internet. I tried resolving this issue today, but now I seem to have made it even worse.

After deleting the ClientRegistry.blob, I now can't even get Steam to start in offline mode. When I execute Steam from its root folder, I get a prompt saying that Steam is updating, but after a few moments of doing nothing I am treated to a message stating "Steam.exe (main exception): To run Steam, you must first connect to the Internet"

I have scoured the Internet and tried just about every "fix" possible. I manually forwarded every port listed here (https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8571-GLVN-8711). Still not working. I have turned off both the Windows and Bitdefender firewalls. Still get the same message. I have deleted everything except Steam.exe and my steamapps folder and tried to make Steam update itself. No dice. Heck, I've even uninstalled Steam completely, restarted my computer, and reinstalled Steam. Nothing.

I'm at a loss here. From what I've seen this tends to be a pretty common problem, but in the 8 or 9 years I've been using Steam (with a variety of computers, both desktops and laptops) this is the first time I've encountered this problem. And like I said, having gone back through the years of online posts made by users with the same problem, I have yet to find a resolution to the problem.

Any help would be appreciated.

P.S. I've attached a HijackThis report below. I hope it helps.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.5
Scan saved at 12:06:18 PM, on 31/08/2013
Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v10.0 (10.00.9200.16660)


Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\ProgramData\Razer\SwitchBlade\Apps\Razer\65BFE244-2354-4E41-ADC9-CCF6BE3B5F75\RzFPS\RzFPS.exe
C:\ProgramData\Razer\SwitchBlade\RzSBHelper.exe
C:\ProgramData\Razer\SwitchBlade\DeathStalker\Razer\1068AAE3-6299-4086-A7F6-0600F5F1D1E5\RzHome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\SwitchBlade\RzAppManager.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Razer\Synapse\RzSynapse.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\old_chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\old_chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\old_chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\old_chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\old_chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\old_chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\old_chrome.exe
C:\Users\USER\Desktop\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ca.msn.com/?ocid=UP74DHP&pc=UP74&dt=083013
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=255141
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://mysearch.sweetpacks.com/?src=10&st=12&crg=3.5000006.10061&barid={DCC02CBC-0757-11E3-ADD0-74D02B9CA031}
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,First Home Page = http://g.msn.com/1me10IE10ENCA/WOL_WCP
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer, enhanced for Bing and MSN
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: Bitdefender Wallet - {1DAC0C53-7D23-4AB3-856A-B04D98CD982A} - C:\Program Files\Bitdefender\Bitdefender\Antispam32\pmbxie.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Evernote extension - {92EF2EAD-A7CE-4424-B0DB-499CF856608E} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote\EvernoteIE.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: SWEETIE - {EEE6C35C-6118-11DC-9C72-001320C79847} - C:\Program Files (x86)\SweetIM\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\mgToolbarIE.dll (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: SweetPacks Toolbar for Internet Explorer - {EEE6C35B-6118-11DC-9C72-001320C79847} - C:\Program Files (x86)\SweetIM\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\mgToolbarIE.dll (file missing)
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "D:\Steam\Steam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-21334717-4162135300-3077040659-1003\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'UpdatusUser')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-21334717-4162135300-3077040659-1003\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'UpdatusUser')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Bitdefender Wallet Agent] "C:\Program Files\Bitdefender\Bitdefender\pmbxag.exe" (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Bitdefender Wallet Agent] "C:\Program Files\Bitdefender\Bitdefender\pmbxag.exe" (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: RazerFPSStartup.lnk = C:\ProgramData\Razer\SwitchBlade\Apps\Razer\65BFE244-2354-4E41-ADC9-CCF6BE3B5F75\RzFPS\RzFPS.exe
O4 - Global Startup: RazerStartUp.lnk = C:\ProgramData\Razer\SwitchBlade\RzSBHelper.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Clip Image - C:\Program Files (x86)/Evernote/Evernote/EvernoteIERes/Clip.html?clipAction=4
O8 - Extra context menu item: Clip selection - C:\Program Files (x86)/Evernote/Evernote/EvernoteIERes/Clip.html?clipAction=3
O8 - Extra context menu item: Clip this page - C:\Program Files (x86)/Evernote/Evernote/EvernoteIERes/Clip.html?clipAction=1
O8 - Extra context menu item: Clip URL - C:\Program Files (x86)/Evernote/Evernote/EvernoteIERes/Clip.html?clipAction=0
O8 - Extra context menu item: New Note - C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote\\EvernoteIERes\NewNote.html
O9 - Extra button: Skype Click to Call - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote\Resource.dll,-101 - {A95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote\\EvernoteIERes\AddNote.html
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote\Resource.dll,-101 - {A95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Evernote\Evernote\\EvernoteIERes\AddNote.html
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~2\NVIDIA~1\NVSTRE~1\rxinput.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Ave's 7StartButton Changer - {F791A188-699D-4FD4-955A-EB59E89B1907} - C:\Program Files (x86)\The Skins Factory\Hyperdesk\Common\AveStartButtonChangerInProc.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Flash Player Update Service (AdobeFlashPlayerUpdateSvc) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: BitRaider Mini-Support Service (BRSptSvc) - BitRaider, LLC - C:\ProgramData\BitRaider\BRSptSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: HyperDesk's Custom Theme Enabler (HyperDeskCustomThemeEnabler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\Installer\MSI30FD.tmp
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Capability Licensing Service Interface - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\iCLS Client\HeciServer.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Capability Licensing Service TCP IP Interface - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\iCLS Client\SocketHeciServer.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Dynamic Application Loader Host Interface Service (jhi_service) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\DAL\jhi_service.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Management and Security Application Local Management Service (LMS) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel(R) Management Engine Components\LMS\LMS.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Streamer Service (NvStreamSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NvStreamSrv\nvstreamsvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Update Service Daemon (nvUpdatusService) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA Update Core\daemonu.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Skype C2C Service - Skype Technologies S.A. - C:\ProgramData\Skype\Toolbars\Skype C2C Service\c2c_service.exe
O23 - Service: Skype Updater (SkypeUpdate) - Skype Technologies - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Updater\Updater.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Stereoscopic 3D Driver Service (Stereo Service) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\3D Vision\nvSCPAPISvr.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Bitdefender Desktop Update Service (UPDATESRV) - Bitdefender - C:\Program Files\Bitdefender\Bitdefender\updatesrv.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Bitdefender Virus Shield (VSSERV) - Bitdefender - C:\Program Files\Bitdefender\Bitdefender\vsserv.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

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End of file - 11687 bytes